Mount Vernon Council approves resolution to create Emergency Medical Services district after public hearing

Mayor Thomas M. Wieseler opened a public hearing on Nov. 17 on a petition to create the City of Mount Vernon Emergency Medical Services (EMS) District and then closed the hearing after public comment and staff explanation. Resident Myrt Bowers spoke in favor of forming the district, citing the community’s need for “quality paramedic services.” Lisbon–Mount Vernon Ambulance Director Jacob Lindauer told the council the ambulance service proposes to use Iowa Code 357(G) to establish a special taxing district to fund EMS services coordinated with the Fire and Police departments and said, “If approved, there would be a special election in March.”

The council voted to approve Resolution #11-17-2025C to establish the EMS district and appointed Snyder & Associates to plat the district maps and report back to council on proposed boundaries. Councilmember Tuerler moved to approve the resolution; Councilmember West seconded. The roll call was all yes and the resolution passed.

Why it matters: creating a local EMS district would authorize a special taxing district that can raise dedicated funds to support emergency medical services, including paramedic staffing and coordination with public-safety departments. Under the council’s action, the next steps are map preparation by Snyder & Associates, a council hearing on district boundaries, and a special election in March where voters will decide on the levy and elect trustees. The council did not specify levy rates or the exact date of the March election at the meeting.

Council members asked for and received procedural clarification about the next steps rather than details about levy amounts or service-level changes. The resolution explicitly begins the administrative process; any levy proposal or trustee nominations will be set before the special election and reported back to the council.